Boldin, Dockett to report on time

by Kent Somers - Jul. 21, 2008 08:21 PMThe Arizona Republic

Cardinals receiver Anquan Boldin and defensive lineman Darnell Dockett plan to report to training camp in Flagstaff on time Wednesday, their agent said, but their presence is not an indication that the players are pleased with their contract situations.

"Anquan is not the type of guy to hold out," said Drew Rosenhaus, who represents both players. "He's a very principled guy. It's just not in his makeup."

And Dockett "is a man who is going to honor his commitment to come to camp," Rosenhaus said.

Both players want new deals and more money, but there has been little progress in Rosenhaus' talks with Cardinals General Manager Rod Graves.

Dockett has four years left on his contract, and the Cardinals have declined to discuss a new deal.

Boldin's situation is different. The Cardinals made him an offer in December, months before they re-signed receiver Larry Fitzgerald to a four-year, $40 million deal.

Boldin, who has three years remaining on a contract that averages about $4 million a year, wants a contract comparable to Fitzgerald's. Rosenhaus declined to discuss his conversations with the Cardinals in any detail.

"We've been in discussions," he said. "That's all I can say about it."

The sides remain far apart on a new deal, and sources close to the situation said Boldin is unhappy that talks have not been more substantive.

This month, Boldin told the team's Web site that he was unsure about reporting to training camp on time. But Cardinals officials always professed belief that Boldin and Dockett would show up on time.

"They're under contract, so I expect them to be there, and I expect them to participate fully," coach Ken Whisenhunt said Monday.

Graves recently said the Cardinals probably wouldn't have the cap space and financial means to re-sign Boldin until after the season started, at the earliest.

Rosenhaus characterized Dockett's contract status as "one in which he would like to be rewarded like a Pro Bowl defensive lineman, and that's not the case."

Dockett, who signed a contract extension in 2006, made the Pro Bowl as an alternate last year.

Talks with the Cardinals, Rosenhaus said, "have not materialized into anything substantive."

That's because the Cardinals have told Rosenhaus they have no interest in giving Dockett another new contract, because he signed one less than two years ago.

The Cardinals also have been talking to backup quarterback Kurt Warner's agent about a contract extension. But those negotiations appear to be at standstill.

Warner is in the final year of his contract and is due to make $4 million.

The Cardinals want to re-sign him, but the challenge is crafting a deal that rewards Warner if he supplants Matt Leinart as the starter, while keeping his salary reasonable should he remain the backup.